The steno instructions
Last week, "First Wife Iris' received a copy of a letter she wrote years ago to a woman who worked with her in the Great Northern office at Whitefish. That woman is Pat "Owen" Porter, who now lives in Arizona. With the copy was this note:
Dearest "Mrs" Chief Stenographer,
During a recent lookie-loo of my cedar chest I found this document!!! I nearly wet my pants!!! It is 56 years old, can you believe?? Was wondering: who in hell made you "Chief Stenographer"??? Let me know how you're doing "kid."
Ms. Owen Porter
Following is Iris' letter, dated Dec. 7, 1956:
Dear Miss Owen:
During my absence, I feel it my duty to inform you of several minor details of my work, which you must attend to, and which I realize you know very little about. Your knowledge is quite limited to your little pass request desk, but I feel with study and concentration, you could almost do as well as I on stenographic chores.
First and foremost, you must finish the jobs I have started. They may be quite complicated but I shall leave you an attached list of explicit instructions. If followed correctly and carefully, perhaps you can muster up enough common sense to complete the job.
I realize your typing leaves much to be desired, but if you go slowly I believe it possible for you to make fewer mistakes. Since my work is always perfect, perhaps it sets up too demanding an example. But chin up child! When you reach my age I hope you will have mastered the art of being a STENOGRAPHER! It's a noble and honest cause, but if you're in it for the money, forget it.
Now, to get down to business. You will be expected in your new job to take dictation from various men in the office. One must keep one's head and it will be hard to keep your mind on taking dictation from big, strong, handsome brutes, but just remember most of them are MARRIED, a deplorable state I agree, but they've had it! I'm sure if you ask them, they'll slow down for you.
Now there is the matter of female employees here in the office. A few of them are CATS! I don't mean to be catty, but some are quite obnoxious. You must try to keep out of their hair which I realize is a hard thing for you to do.
Just a little note, don't worry about your mistakes too much because since you're so young and inexperienced, I'm sure everyone will understand and forgive. Just be brave and bluff a little if you have to. Make them think you are smart, anyway.
Well, I'm afraid our little "woman to woman" talk had better end as I have so much to do and it's al so important. I give you my heartfelt wish of luck, good cheer, and confidence. Maybe you'll succeed in something.
Cheers and fond adieu for a few days, I am.
Yours truly,
Iris Ann Wilhelm
Chief Stenographer
G.N. Railway Co.
Whitefish, Montana
---
Summary: Pat's well known dad, Roy Owen, was golf pro at Whitefish Lake Golf Course for 23 years and lived in to his 90s. Pat's mother Gert is still living and over a hundred.
Iris and I attended a party at the Heckathorns' home several years ago to celebrate either the Owens' 70th anniversary or Roy's 90th birthday. Can't remember which.
Pat and Iris were both top stenographers at Great Northern. Even though they are friends, after reading that letter I kinda wonder ... "Howcum Pat agreed to be Iris' Maid of Honor at our 1958 wedding?"
Life is good. See ya next week.
G. George Ostrom is a national award-winning Hungry Horse News columnist. He lives in Kalispell.